Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Travel

VIDEO: Japanese People Imitate What English Speakers Sound Like And The Results Are Hilarious

Ever wondered what English sounds like to a non-native speaker? Check out how Japanese people think English speakers talk.

Credit: That Japanese Man Yuta / YouTube

YouTube Japanese Teacher, Yuta, asked Japanese people to imitate how native English speakers talk, and the results were very interesting.

That Japanese Man Yuta uses his various social media platforms to share insight about Japanese culture and language. 

In his videos, he sometimes takes to the streets and asks Japanese locals on their opinions on everything, from anime to Tinder, he asks it all. But in one of his most recent videos he asked locals to imitate how they think native English speakers sound when they talk, and it was very eye opening!

Check out the video below:

Credit: That Japanese Man Yuta / YouTube

Some of them absolutely nailed it, and imitated the expressive, over-the-top hand gestures that English speaking people typically use. 

And people in the comment section loved it. Most picked out the hand gestures, the elevated pitch, and volume at which English is typically spoken.

One viewer (OneArmedBandit) found it interesting to compare the ways in which the two languages differ, stating that: “I think a lot of why they view English this way has to do with the inconsistent Rhythm of English.

In Japanese, it’s (almost always) structured: Consonant, vowel, consonant, vowel, consonant, vowel, (sometimes with 2 consonants in a row) and each Kana sticks to the same beat.

In English things often change pace, and sometimes don’t match that rhythmic and alternating pattern (consonant > vowel), and we stress random stuff… So that explains why they were randomly emphasizing noises here and there, filled with random fluid-like rambling in between. Fascinating as someone who speaks both languages.” 

Credit: That Japanese Man Yuta / YouTube

Other commenters weren’t as nuanced with their responses, but found the video entertaining and enlightening all the same. 

What do you think of their impressions, and do you think they managed to capture how English is spoken?

Check out Yuta’s YouTube Channel for more Japanese language, culture, and opinion videos!

Avatar photo
Written By

Content Writer and freelance journalist with an MA in Creative Writing. Passionate about films, books and general media.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Support Real Ones. Fund the Future.

If you read this far, you get it: young voices matter. At TRILL, every story is written by emerging writers telling the truth in a media landscape that too often silences them.

We run ads, yeah. But they don’t run us. We’re independent, mission-driven, and powered by people who believe young storytellers deserve more than just “exposure.”

Your donation goes straight to mentorship, editorial support, and launching the next wave of Gen Z writers into media careers that matter.

If that matters to you, chip in. Even $5 helps keep TRILL free, fearless, and independent.

Donate Now →
Advertisement
Advertisement

You May Also Like

Travel

My grandma reveals the top places she's ever traveled to.

Opinion

A closer look at the humour, history, and empathy behind the "gingers are black" meme.

Advice

Have you ever woken up and gotten more done in the first three hours of your day than you had in two weeks? Or,...

Love & Relationships

What shape does your friendship take? If you're a funnel more than a bulb, let them and let go.